Emergence and outcomes of shared leadership: unraveling the role of transactive memory system and team mindfulness using mixed-methods approach

Abstract

PurposeShared leadership literature has primarily focused on investigating its positive impact on performance. Thus, the existing understanding of the emergence of shared leadership is limited. Also, there is a dearth of literature identifying the impact of shared leadership on affective outcomes. This study investigates the impact of transactive memory system and team mindfulness on shared leadership, and subsequently, the impact of shared leadership on team satisfaction through the mediating mechanism of thriving.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a mixed-methods approach with sequential explanatory research design. Quantitative study was carried out with a sample of 40 teams. Data were collected at four different time points. Qualitative interviews with 10 teams were carried out to provide insights about the relationships which emerged from the quantitative study.FindingsThe study found support for the impact of transactive memory on shared leadership. However, contrary to our hypothesis, the study found that the interaction effect of transactive memory system and team mindfulness on shared leadership is such that team mindfulness has preventive impact on lack of transactive memory. The results indicate that shared leadership influences team satisfaction through the mediating mechanism of employee thriving.Originality/valueThe study examines under-explored antecedent and boundary condition of emergence of shared leadership, i.e. transactive memory system and team mindfulness. Also, the study makes a methodological contribution by examining the dynamics of shared leadership through both quantitative and qualitative approaches.